The two main reasons children aren’t physically active
Support and encouragement from family members is a really important factor in increasing our children’s activity levels.
Enticing your child to get off the sofa, away from the TV or computer screen, and outside can be a challenging task for any parent, particularly in today’s day and age. However, we all know just how important being active is for the health and wellbeing of children.
Experts recommend that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. But this has been in decline in recent years. And now only a handful of kids are meeting the current recommendations. A lack of physical activity has major implications for the health of children, including an increased risk of obesity and diabetes.
Research has also shown that this can impact children’s mental health, along with their academic performance. Children’s physical activity levels are of course influenced by a whole array of factors, including friends and family, schools and teachers, and the area they live in.
The barriers children face
To help better understand the factors that can help or hinder the physical activity levels of children today, experts in the UK conducted a study that explores barriers children face when it comes to being physically active.
As part of the research, 133 children between the ages of seven and 11 in various schools were interviewed. It was discovered that two main barriers for children existed when it comes to exercise: Screen time and hectic family lifestyles. With this in mind, we’ve outlined below some ways you can overcome these obstacles and help get your children more active in the process.
Screen time can be addictive
Did you know that screen time is a significant barrier to children being active and can be addictive? Many of the children in the study reported having access to a wide range of screen options such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones. Many of them talked about the addictive nature of being on screens – saying that they can often while away hours at a time.
One child explained how his normal weekend usually involves a high amount of screen time: “Normally, at weekends, I just wake up, watch TV. Then at nine in the morning I start playing video games, and when I have to come off, I just watch TV. Then, a little while later I go back on the video games. And then when I have to come off I normally watch a movie off Netflix, off my tablet. And then straight after that, I play video games. And that’s what I do.”
Screen time is a significant barrier to children being active, and can be addictive – but it doesn’t all have to be bad news. Setting screen time limits can help regulate children’s usage. You can also encourage children to use their screens, apps, and gadgets in a positive way, to help to get them moving. This can include the use of pedometres or activity trackers, which can help to monitor and increase activity levels and track progress along the way.
Be a good role model for your child
Support and encouragement from family members is a really important factor in increasing children’s activity levels. Research shows that this isn’t just about being able to buy expensive equipment or driving children to after-school activities and sports clubs – it’s about setting a good example of how to live an active life. This includes reinforcing the benefits of being active and getting children into active habits from a young age.
Getting outdoors and into nature can be a great way to get children to see the benefits of being fit and healthy. This includes visits to green spaces, parks, playgrounds, walks, and cycle tracks as part of your everyday family life. Don’t let bad weather stop you either – take a raincoat and show the kids that come rain or shine the outdoors is always an option.
The importance of family time
Modern-day family life can be pretty hectic, and it can often feel like a challenge to find the time and energy to be active. Research revealed that many families could do with a bit of help and support to find ways to build activity into their lives.
One child said: “I want to be more active because my mom used to go for runs with me, but for some reason, she keeps forgetting, and I keep trying to remind her but she’s always busy.”
A few small changes to daily routines and a bit of forward planning can make all the difference. It’s a good idea to stop at a park on the way home from school for 15 minutes – and get the children walking or cycling whenever possible. Families can also find ways to be active indoors, including dancing and active video games. These might sound like small changes, but taken together they can have a big impact on your children’s health and well-being.
